Destor
12-29-2005, 01:43 PM
AJ Styles talks TNA, WWE, Sting, Jeff Jarrett, 1PW and more
<HR style="COLOR: #89959b" SIZE=1>
<!-- / icon and title --><!-- message -->AJ Styles Talks TNA, WWE, Sting, Jeff Jarrett, 1PW and more
Steve Gerweck - Wednesday, December 28 2005
> Gerweck.net <
The UK’s #1 Wrestling talk show Powerslam Radio
(http://www.powerslam.co.uk (http://www.powerslam.co.uk/)) welcomed back NWA:TNA superstar AJ Styles to
the show. AJ was the show’s inaugural guest back in 2002.
AJ joined Powerslam Radio hosts Vikram Sangar & Lee "Freaky" Burton on
their Christmas Eve special.
AJ spoke briefly about Christmas and how he was yet to find a present for
his wife.
AJ described fatherhood as being "awesome" and went onto to describe some
of the sleepless nights he’s been having after the birth of his son.
When asked whether his son would ever follow in his father’s footsteps and
become a wrestler- AJ said he would only consider training his son "after
he has finished college and has his degree."
AJ recalled the personal changes he has experienced with TNA. He says he
gets noticed a lot more now by fans in his day-to-day life. AJ and the
hosts exchanged stories about meeting famous people as fans. Vik described
following Dean Malenko around a mall for 20 minutes in Canada trying to
get his autograph. AJ says similar things have happened to him and
sometimes wished fans would just come up to him and ask for an autograph
instead of staring at him for ages.
AJ was asked specifically about the arrival of Christian Cage and Sting.
AJ said the most important thing is that TNA gets more viewers and the new
talent will help bring that. He described himself as being a "team player"
and doing whatever was best for the company. AJ however said TNA must not
forget "where they came from" and continue to build the X-Division. He
said fans watch TNA for the X-Division and he hopes that the arrival of
Christian and Sting does not affect the emphasis given to that division in
any way.
Co-host Lee asked AJ whether any of the roster resented the WWE guys for
coming in and taking their spots- especially since many of them have
helped build TNA from the ground up. AJ conceded "That’s gonna happen" but
the TNA writers should help expand the characters of the existing guys. He
said fans already know what Christian and Sting can offer but it would be
beneficial for TNA if the characters of "Chris Sabin, Sonjay Dutt and Alex
Shelley" for example were expanded and given more mic time.
AJ was asked whether TNA was really competing with the WWE or whether it
was merely an alternative. AJ said TNA are definitely competing. He went
onto to explain the signings of The Dudleys, Christian etc showed that
they meant business and said "the only thing we are missing is money." He
said he understands TNA have lost millions, but they are all aiming to get
those millions back.
AJ talked about the Spike TV deal. He said although Impact’s not on at the
best time, at least "we’re on a network that cares about us." He also
stated "word of mouth" as probably the biggest thing that will get fans
watching the TNA product. AJ said he could ultimately see TNA appearing on
prime-time, "…something like Tuesday at 8pm would be a lot better…" he
commented.
AJ was asked by Vik which he thought was the more credible in the eyes of
the fans- the X-Division or TNA’s World Title. AJ personally felt "It’s
the X-division…however the only guys who don’t see that are the office…"
AJ felt that fans generally ordered the PPV to watch the X-division
matches with exception of main events involving "the likes of Abyss or
barbed wire matches." He said "it’s hard not to love the X-division…and
the WWE doesn’t even have anything close…"
AJ was asked about the impact Samoa Joe has made in TNA. AJ said "it’s
another great example of the X-Division" and explained how he was trying
to bring Joe in for a long time but the office did not want to know. Now
that Joe has made such a huge impression, AJ is almost left saying "I told
you so…now if only you listened to me in the first place…"
AJ said there had been "serious talk" about TNA having house shows and
PPV’s in different cities. He explained that the move had to make sense
financially before going ahead with it.
Vik asked AJ about morale in the TNA locker room. AJ said everyone is
still hungry for success in TNA but conceded many of the guys are
"confused as to where our characters are going with all the WWE guys
coming in and taking spots." He said "we are seeing a lot of Jeff Jarrett
on TV which is confusing sometimes." AJ conceded "I don’t know how to run
the business" but hoped the office would produce something great out of
all this for everyone concerned.
AJ was asked about his own relationship with the TNA office. He said he
feels he "can talk to them at any time" but wished he had more of a
"creative input" into the product. He explained "there are five guys on
the booking committee with Jeff Jarrett having the ultimate decision." AJ
described Jeff’s position as being "tough" and personally felt that Jeff
should leave the booking up to the other guys, merely to lighten the
workload Jeff has -and to concentrate on being a performer.
AJ spoke about the likes of Jerry Lynn and Christopher Daniels having a
great influence on his career. He said he has learned a lot from them and
often tries to take in every comment he receives- unless it’s from Raven,
"in which case it goes in one ear and out the other..." AJ said jokingly.
AJ was asked about wrestling in the UK and he described the British fans
as "being the best" and said it’s "always a pleasure to wrestle there."
AJ was asked about 1PW and his upcoming booking in the United Kingdom
where he performs at the huge double-header in January entitled "No
Turning Back" at the Doncaster Dome. He said 1PW have been very
professional and he enjoyed being a part of their first show a few months
ago.
AJ spoke about the 4-way match where he is scheduled to face Christopher
Daniels, Samoa Joe and Charlie Haas on the first night. AJ said this would
be the first time he would be in the ring with Charlie and would be
interested to see what type of high impact moves he can do. He said Haas
would be the unknown quantity in the match as his knows what to expect
from the other TNA combatants.
AJ was also asked about his second match at 1PW’s No Turning Back where he
is scheduled to face "the boss" Jeff Jarrett the following day. He said
Jarrett has been very lucky in his past meetings and he would try to
resort to cheating if needed to get the victory over Jarrett and proceed
in 1PW’s quest to crown their first champion.
AJ was also asked to clear up the confusion regarding his appearance for
Vince Russo’s Ring of Glory promotion and not appearing for Ring of Honor
last weekend. AJ said he had "Ring of Glory on the Friday and Ring of
Honor on the Saturday" and "had tried to get out of doing both" as he had
stitches in his face and the opening of the wound would result in him
having plastic surgery. Vince Russo however managed to convince him that
wrestling for Ring of Glory would be much easier for him to do as he would
be wrestling Abyss; a guy who he knows is safe in the ring and who had
stitches himself. He said in the end they barely done ten minutes. He
wanted to let the ROH fans know it’s not because he didn’t want to be
there, it’s simply because he didn’t want to take the risk of being hit in
the face and having to go through plastic surgery. He says he "loves Ring
of Honor and has the utmost respect for it and can’t wait to go back."
In the full interview, Vik asked some frank questions about AJ’s contract
situation and possibly signing with the WWE. AJ was very open and honest
with his answers and commented on what it would take for him to sign with
the WWE, who he would like to wrestle there and about the friends he has
in their locker room along with some of the stories he has heard about
their morale.
AJ also talks about Vince McMahon, his love for computer games, the
passing of Eddie Guerrero and his favourite wrestling moments of 2005.
The full 30 minute interview can be heard, uncut at:
http://www.powerslam.co.uk (http://www.powerslam.co.uk)
==========================
Credit:
http://www.talktna.com/forum/showthread.php?p=248279#post248279
http://www.gerweck.net
<HR style="COLOR: #89959b" SIZE=1>
<!-- / icon and title --><!-- message -->AJ Styles Talks TNA, WWE, Sting, Jeff Jarrett, 1PW and more
Steve Gerweck - Wednesday, December 28 2005
> Gerweck.net <
The UK’s #1 Wrestling talk show Powerslam Radio
(http://www.powerslam.co.uk (http://www.powerslam.co.uk/)) welcomed back NWA:TNA superstar AJ Styles to
the show. AJ was the show’s inaugural guest back in 2002.
AJ joined Powerslam Radio hosts Vikram Sangar & Lee "Freaky" Burton on
their Christmas Eve special.
AJ spoke briefly about Christmas and how he was yet to find a present for
his wife.
AJ described fatherhood as being "awesome" and went onto to describe some
of the sleepless nights he’s been having after the birth of his son.
When asked whether his son would ever follow in his father’s footsteps and
become a wrestler- AJ said he would only consider training his son "after
he has finished college and has his degree."
AJ recalled the personal changes he has experienced with TNA. He says he
gets noticed a lot more now by fans in his day-to-day life. AJ and the
hosts exchanged stories about meeting famous people as fans. Vik described
following Dean Malenko around a mall for 20 minutes in Canada trying to
get his autograph. AJ says similar things have happened to him and
sometimes wished fans would just come up to him and ask for an autograph
instead of staring at him for ages.
AJ was asked specifically about the arrival of Christian Cage and Sting.
AJ said the most important thing is that TNA gets more viewers and the new
talent will help bring that. He described himself as being a "team player"
and doing whatever was best for the company. AJ however said TNA must not
forget "where they came from" and continue to build the X-Division. He
said fans watch TNA for the X-Division and he hopes that the arrival of
Christian and Sting does not affect the emphasis given to that division in
any way.
Co-host Lee asked AJ whether any of the roster resented the WWE guys for
coming in and taking their spots- especially since many of them have
helped build TNA from the ground up. AJ conceded "That’s gonna happen" but
the TNA writers should help expand the characters of the existing guys. He
said fans already know what Christian and Sting can offer but it would be
beneficial for TNA if the characters of "Chris Sabin, Sonjay Dutt and Alex
Shelley" for example were expanded and given more mic time.
AJ was asked whether TNA was really competing with the WWE or whether it
was merely an alternative. AJ said TNA are definitely competing. He went
onto to explain the signings of The Dudleys, Christian etc showed that
they meant business and said "the only thing we are missing is money." He
said he understands TNA have lost millions, but they are all aiming to get
those millions back.
AJ talked about the Spike TV deal. He said although Impact’s not on at the
best time, at least "we’re on a network that cares about us." He also
stated "word of mouth" as probably the biggest thing that will get fans
watching the TNA product. AJ said he could ultimately see TNA appearing on
prime-time, "…something like Tuesday at 8pm would be a lot better…" he
commented.
AJ was asked by Vik which he thought was the more credible in the eyes of
the fans- the X-Division or TNA’s World Title. AJ personally felt "It’s
the X-division…however the only guys who don’t see that are the office…"
AJ felt that fans generally ordered the PPV to watch the X-division
matches with exception of main events involving "the likes of Abyss or
barbed wire matches." He said "it’s hard not to love the X-division…and
the WWE doesn’t even have anything close…"
AJ was asked about the impact Samoa Joe has made in TNA. AJ said "it’s
another great example of the X-Division" and explained how he was trying
to bring Joe in for a long time but the office did not want to know. Now
that Joe has made such a huge impression, AJ is almost left saying "I told
you so…now if only you listened to me in the first place…"
AJ said there had been "serious talk" about TNA having house shows and
PPV’s in different cities. He explained that the move had to make sense
financially before going ahead with it.
Vik asked AJ about morale in the TNA locker room. AJ said everyone is
still hungry for success in TNA but conceded many of the guys are
"confused as to where our characters are going with all the WWE guys
coming in and taking spots." He said "we are seeing a lot of Jeff Jarrett
on TV which is confusing sometimes." AJ conceded "I don’t know how to run
the business" but hoped the office would produce something great out of
all this for everyone concerned.
AJ was asked about his own relationship with the TNA office. He said he
feels he "can talk to them at any time" but wished he had more of a
"creative input" into the product. He explained "there are five guys on
the booking committee with Jeff Jarrett having the ultimate decision." AJ
described Jeff’s position as being "tough" and personally felt that Jeff
should leave the booking up to the other guys, merely to lighten the
workload Jeff has -and to concentrate on being a performer.
AJ spoke about the likes of Jerry Lynn and Christopher Daniels having a
great influence on his career. He said he has learned a lot from them and
often tries to take in every comment he receives- unless it’s from Raven,
"in which case it goes in one ear and out the other..." AJ said jokingly.
AJ was asked about wrestling in the UK and he described the British fans
as "being the best" and said it’s "always a pleasure to wrestle there."
AJ was asked about 1PW and his upcoming booking in the United Kingdom
where he performs at the huge double-header in January entitled "No
Turning Back" at the Doncaster Dome. He said 1PW have been very
professional and he enjoyed being a part of their first show a few months
ago.
AJ spoke about the 4-way match where he is scheduled to face Christopher
Daniels, Samoa Joe and Charlie Haas on the first night. AJ said this would
be the first time he would be in the ring with Charlie and would be
interested to see what type of high impact moves he can do. He said Haas
would be the unknown quantity in the match as his knows what to expect
from the other TNA combatants.
AJ was also asked about his second match at 1PW’s No Turning Back where he
is scheduled to face "the boss" Jeff Jarrett the following day. He said
Jarrett has been very lucky in his past meetings and he would try to
resort to cheating if needed to get the victory over Jarrett and proceed
in 1PW’s quest to crown their first champion.
AJ was also asked to clear up the confusion regarding his appearance for
Vince Russo’s Ring of Glory promotion and not appearing for Ring of Honor
last weekend. AJ said he had "Ring of Glory on the Friday and Ring of
Honor on the Saturday" and "had tried to get out of doing both" as he had
stitches in his face and the opening of the wound would result in him
having plastic surgery. Vince Russo however managed to convince him that
wrestling for Ring of Glory would be much easier for him to do as he would
be wrestling Abyss; a guy who he knows is safe in the ring and who had
stitches himself. He said in the end they barely done ten minutes. He
wanted to let the ROH fans know it’s not because he didn’t want to be
there, it’s simply because he didn’t want to take the risk of being hit in
the face and having to go through plastic surgery. He says he "loves Ring
of Honor and has the utmost respect for it and can’t wait to go back."
In the full interview, Vik asked some frank questions about AJ’s contract
situation and possibly signing with the WWE. AJ was very open and honest
with his answers and commented on what it would take for him to sign with
the WWE, who he would like to wrestle there and about the friends he has
in their locker room along with some of the stories he has heard about
their morale.
AJ also talks about Vince McMahon, his love for computer games, the
passing of Eddie Guerrero and his favourite wrestling moments of 2005.
The full 30 minute interview can be heard, uncut at:
http://www.powerslam.co.uk (http://www.powerslam.co.uk)
==========================
Credit:
http://www.talktna.com/forum/showthread.php?p=248279#post248279
http://www.gerweck.net